Statement of Malacañang on VP Sara Duterte Remarks over PH Debt
Malacañang hit back at the remarks of Vice President Sara Duterte over the P16 trillion national debt of the Philippines.
Since she left the Marcos Jr. administration, Vice Pres. Duterte became vocal on the issues about the country. There were also multiple instances when she threw shades against Pres. Bongbong Marcos and the government.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte even recently claimed that the Marcos Jr. admin allegedly has “no plan at all” for the country. She backed her claim with her around two years of experience being part of the admin. It was in June 2024 when the Vice President resigned from being the secretary of the Department of Education.
According to Duterte, her reason to leave the Marcos Cabinet includes both personal and work reasons. She and her camp believes that Marcos Jr. and his administration wants the Vice President removed from office. The claim stands despite the remarks of the President that he is against the impeachment.
Recently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte raised a question on the P16 trillion national debt of the Philippines. She asked what happened to the money. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Malacañang reacted to the remarks of the Vice President.
“May kasabihan nga tayo, ang hindi marunong tumingin sa pinanggalingan ay hindi talaga malalaman ang katotohanan,” Duterte said.
Based on the report, Malacañang press undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro clarified that the P16 trillion debt of the Philippines that Vice Pres. Sara Duterte was referring to is the total accumulated debt from the past administrations including the admin of her father, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
“At tatandaan din natin, ang administrasyon ni dating Pangulong Duterte ang naitalang may pinakamataas na naging utang na umabot ng P12.79 trillion as of June 2022. At solong utang po ng administrasyong Duterte ay umaabot ng P6.84 trillion as of June 2022,” the Malacañang Spox said.
Atty. Claire Castro raised a question on why Vice Pres. Sara Duterte allegedly does not recognize the Marcos Jr. admin’s programs. Based on the report, she cited the P20/kilo rice program, the expanded Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) benefit packages, and the upcoming fuel subsidy program.
The Malacañang Press Officer stressed that it is hard to teach someone who does not know and does not care to know. She added that it is hard to open the eyes of the blind and someone who keeps her eyes closed on the reality.
Previously, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that she has no ill feelings with Pres. Bongbong Marcos but she has a problem with his performance as the country’s leader.